Dominant Dutch: Netherlands Pull Ahead on Day 2 of European Athletics Team Championships
The Netherlands solidified their position atop the standings after Day 2 of the First Division of the European Athletics Team Championships in Madrid, amassing 165.5 points after 13 events. Powered by strong victories from Menno Vloon in the pole vault, Femke Bol in the 400m, Jessica Schilder in the shot put, and Jorinde Van Klinken in the discus, the Dutch team pulled 31.5 points clear of hosts Spain (134), while defending champions Italy sit third with 133 points, just ahead of Poland (131.5). With world-class performances and record-breaking feats, Day 2 delivered thrilling action and a shake-up in the leaderboard.
Women’s 400 metres:
Femke Bol, the World and European champion in the 400m hurdles, delivered another standout performance in Madrid by winning the flat 400 metres in a championship record time of 49.48. The mark improved the previous record by 0.34 seconds and was just 0.04 shy of her lifetime best set in Munich 2022. Bol now ranks sixth on the 2024 world list.
Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek, European champion and national record holder, clocked a seasonal best of 50.14 to take second place—repeating her runner-up finish from Silesia 2023. Spain’s Paula Sevilla continued her rise by improving her PB to 50.70 for third, while Italy’s Anna Polinari also broke new ground with 50.76, the second-fastest time ever by an Italian.
Femke Bol: “I'm happy, I mean, it was a better race than in Ostrava—this is what I wanted. It still wasn't perfect, but considering it was just a short 400m effort between my hurdle training sessions, I’m satisfied. It was a great competition. Natalia is a European champion, and Paula Sevilla ran amazingly. I’m glad to keep the win for the team and collect all the points. Running alongside Paula Sevilla made it even more special.”
Men’s 400 metres:
Great Britain’s 22-year-old Samuel Reardon lit up the track with a personal best and championship record of 44.60, marking the fastest time in Europe this season. Ukraine’s Oleksander Pohorylko clocked a lifetime best of 44.81 for second, while Hungary’s Patrick Enyingi equaled Attila Molnar’s national record with 44.84 for third.
Italy’s Edoardo Scotti, running in the B final, broke the 45-second barrier for the first time with 44.93, the fourth-fastest time overall and third-best in Italian history.
Samuel Reardon: “I'm absolutely over the moon. This is exactly what I came here for—16 points, a win, and hopefully a personal best. I achieved all of that. The Spanish crowd has been amazing.”
Men’s 800 metres:
Spanish record holder Mohamed Attaoui thrilled the home crowd with a commanding win in the men’s 800m, setting a new championship record of 1:44.01. Italy’s Francesco Pernici clocked a PB of 1:44.39 to secure a World Championships qualifying mark. France’s Corentin Magnou was third in 1:45.06.
Mohamed Attaoui: “I’m really happy. I was nervous but excited—competing at home, with my family and friends in the stands, was special. I wasn’t focused on the record, just on the 16 points for Spain. The atmosphere was amazing.”
Men’s Hammer Throw:
Ukraine’s Olympic bronze medallist Mykhaylo Kokhan produced a massive personal best of 81.66m to win the men’s hammer. Germany’s Merlin Hummel was a close second with 81.27m, also a PB, ahead of Hungary’s Bence Halász (80.63m) and France’s Yann Chaussinand (78.45m).
Mykhaylo Kokhan: “It was hard with the heat, but I’m proud. After some 79m throws in past meets, I needed rest—now I’m back at 81.66m. I hope to help my country reach the top 8.”
Women’s Shot Put:
Jessica Schilder continued the Dutch momentum with a 20.14m win in the women’s shot put. Germany’s Yemisi Ogunleye threw 19.58m for second, while Sweden’s Fanny Roos was third with 19.38m.
Jessica Schilder: “It wasn’t the best start, but I’m happy to go over 20 meters. We’re working on technical changes, so there's risk involved, but I feel good about where I am this season.”
Women’s Discus Throw:
Jorinde Van Klinken added another victory for the Netherlands, winning the women’s discus with a solid 64.61m effort, her fourth team competition win of the year.
Women’s 100 metres:
Hungary’s Boglarka Takacs stormed to a national and championship record of 11.06 to take gold. Poland’s Ewa Swoboda, in her season debut, clocked 11.13 for second. Portugal’s Lorene Bazolo (11.21) and Italy’s Zaynab Dosso (11.22 SB) rounded out the top finishers.
Netherlands’ Minke Bisschops won the B final in 11.17, the third-fastest time of the day.
Men’s 100 metres:
Great Britain’s Eugene Amo-Dadzie powered to a 10.07 win, beating the Netherlands’ Elvis Afrifa (10.10), Sweden’s Henrik Larsson (10.11), and Germany’s Lucas Ansah Peprah (10.15).
Poland’s Oliwer Wdowik won the B final in 10.10. Italy’s Lorenzo Patta pulled up with an injury and did not finish.
Women’s 5000 metres:
Nadia Battocletti captured her third European Team Championships 5000m title in a tactical 15:56.01. She outkicked Spain’s Marta Garcia (15:58.53) and the Netherlands’ Diane Van Es (15:58.41). The race saw a slow early pace, with the last kilometer covered in under 3 minutes. Battocletti surged with 600m to go and closed in 57.61 for the final lap.
Nadia Battocletti: “The main goal was to secure points for Italy. It was tough but excellent training for me. We’ll need to keep pushing if we want to stay in the podium fight.”
Men’s 3000 metres Steeplechase:
Germany’s Karl Bebendorf took the win in 8:20.43 ahead of Spain’s Daniel Arce (8:22.04), contributing crucial points for his squad.
Men’s Triple Jump:
Jonathan Seremes of France leapt 17.00m on his final attempt to snatch victory in the men’s triple jump. Italy’s Simone Biasutti set two PBs with 16.70m and 16.94m in his first two attempts to take second.
